Striping mechanism for knitting machines



Feb. 10. 1925. 1,525,608 I K. HOWIE ET AL.

STRIPING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES original Filed April 5, 1922 s sheets-sneak 1 1728972607 6: I Kenneth (Howie, M'lli 0. ,gwj gwwfia/w a Feb. 10. 1925 1,525,608

K. HOWIE ET AL.

,STRIPING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Original Filed April as, 1922 e Sheets-Sheet 2 Ill ulilllillllllllllllllll! Kenneth Howie,

will m 0.1 1

Inventors:

Feb; '10. 1925.

K. HOWIE ET AL STRIPING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES Original Filed April 5, 1922 e Sheets-Sheet s Willi a 0.7233102 Feb. 10,1925.

K. HOWIEET AL I STRI PING MECHANISM FOR KNITTING MACHINES 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Original Filed April 1922 Invenhr-n Jfnn 6th Jfowze,

afdam Feb. 10. 1 925.

,, 1,525,608 K. HOWIE ET AL STRIPINGMECHANISM FOR KNITTING MAGHINES' v Original Eiled A-pril s, 192 e Sheets-Sheet e Inventors: Jfenneth Jfowie, 3 TAZiZZz'am 0.27aylor,

M, 7%;MMQMMM Wg g Patented F ch10, 192 5.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

KENNETH HOWIE, OE NQRRIS'IOVIN. AND "WILLIAI Z Oi TAYLOR, OF LIMERICK, PENN- SYLVANIA, ASSIGNORS TO 'WILDMAN MFG. COMPANY, OF NORRISTOWN, SYLVANZLA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

PENN

STRIPING MECHANISM FOR KNIFITTING MACHINES.

Application filed April 3. l922 -iierial 1 To. 549,253. Renewed July 8, 1924.

To all to hem it may con cern Be it known that we. KENNETH HOWIE and l VTLLTAH O. TAYLOR, citizens of the United States, andresidents of Norristown and Limerick. respectively, in the county of Montgomery and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Striping Mechanism for.

' Knitting Machines, of which the following is a specification.

The invention concerns acircular multiple feed striping knitting machine having its feeds distributed at separated points about the needle circle.

'lhc invention consists in the features and combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and particularly pointed out in the claims. I

In the accompanying drawings Figure 1 is a side view of a knitting machine embodying my invention.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of pattern mechanism for controlling the different feeds.

Fig. 3 is a, vertical sectional view with parts in elevation.

Fig. 1 is detail view. of a part of the pattern mechanism looking from. the rightof Fig. 3. f

Fig. 5 is a view similar to Fig. 4 with parts in section.

Fig. 6 is a vertical sectional View of the central head of the controlling connections.

Fig. 7 is a detail view of cutter means.

Fg. 8 is a plan view of the central head of 4 F ig. 6. g

Fig. 8 is a detail view of a star wheel and cam.

Fig. 9 is a plan view of of the yarn feeds.

, Fig. 10 is a plan view partly in section'ot certain of the devices. atone -.of the yarn feeds. i

Fig. 11 is a facview of the inner side of one of the sections of the needle cam ring.

-Fig. 12 is a plan view ofthe section of the the devices at one cam ring of Fig. 11 with certain devices as,-

sociated therewith.

13 is a'plan view of the base ring and rotary take-up ring with cams carried Iby'the latter for giving movement to the pattern mechanism and controlling connections. 7

In the drawings 1 indicates a part of the head of a knitting machine. This is supported from a base ring 2 by frame parts, one of which is shown at 3, the machine being of the type in which the cam ring is fixed and the needle carrier rotates. 4 is the revolving take-up ring or plate, the take up mechanism. being omitted, as this forms no part of the presentinvention. The invention is shown in connection with a latch needle machine, though it will be understood that it is equally applicable to a spring beard needle knitting machine.

' There may be any desired number of feeds, for instance. eight. One of the yarn guides is shown at 5, there being one of these guides at each feed and it will be understood that these feeds are equally spaced about the knitting head. Any one or more of the feeds is rendered inoperative by retracting the .needle advancing cam at that feed, so that the needles will not be advanced to take new yarn, and shed their old loops below their latches, and hence no knitting will be done at this inoperative feed and the old loops will not be cast 011'. For retracting-the needle advancing came from operative position, there is a star Wheel 7 at each feed which is shifted into difierent substantially horizontal planes by a vertically movable support or bracket 8, Fig. 1

andFig. 10 so that the upper and lower arms 7, 7 of the star wheel will be located either in or out of the path of a contact member or dog 9 travelling with the knitting head Each star wheel 7 has two pairs of arms, one pair being in a higher plane than the other pair, and the arms of each pair are diametrically opposite eachother. The higher pair of arms are indicated at 7 and the lower pair at 7".

\Vhen'the bracket 8 is swung down the upper pair of arms will'be in the same hori, zontal plane with the travelling dog 9, and

' operative or inoperative upon the needles.

when the bracket 8 is swung to its upper limit the lower'pair of arms 7 will be in the plane of saiddog. -The star wheel is fixed to a shaft or body 7 rotatably mounted in the bracket 8 under frictional restraint of a spring pin 8 The lower end of the star wheel shaft'or barrel is provided with a recess or socket 7 receiving a cam member 6 consisting of a flat plate carried by a shaft or barrel 6*, rotatablymounted in a fixed,

bracket 6 secured to the fixed cam ring. A. detent 6 serves to prevent overthrow of the cam and star wheel when the latter is struck and turned by the dog9.

When the bracket 8 is depressed and the dog 9 strikes one of the high arms 7 of the star wheel, the cam 6 will be turned fiatwise to a lever 10, pivoted in the cam ring at 11 and this lever-will be free to swing outwardly away from the center of the machineand allow the needle raising cam a. to assume operative position. This cam is carried by an arm Z) pivoted at c to the cam ring and pressed by a spring 03 to operative position. The cam is swung outwardly into inoperative position as shown in Fig. 12 dotted lines when the cam 6 is turned so that its edge forces the lever 10 inwardly. This lever 10 operates a pin 6 which bears on the tail of the lever b carrying the needle advancmg cam.

The star wheel 7 remains coupled up with the cam 6 by means of the forked construction at 7 of its barrel, whether the bracket 8 be up or down and the arrangement is such that if the star wheel is struck by the dog 9 it will give a quarter turn to the cam 6 and this actingupon or relieving the lever 10, as the case may be, will shift the,

needle advancing cam in or out to make it The pivoted bracket 8 has an arm 8 extending up therefrom upon whose laterally extending upper end 8'a bell crank lever 14 bears, Figs. 1, 9 and 10. This bell crank lever is pivoted at 15 to thestationary sinker cam ring 16 of the knitting head.

The bell'crank lever 14 is operated by a rod 17 Figs. 1, 6, 8 and 9,.extending towards the vertical axis of the knitting head. The rod is guided at its inner end in a part of a support or track ring 18, Fig. 6, forming part of a central head, which ring is held in fixed relation to the knitting head by a post 19t-o which it is rigidly secured. This post is at the axial center of the knitting head, and it depends from a bracket or arm 20, ex-

tending up from the fixed base 21 of the knitting head.

In an eight feed machine, there will be eight of the radial rods 17 with their associated parts 6, 7, 8 and 14, together with the needle advancing cams, one for each feed.

The rods 17 are controlled as follows:

All oscillating ring 22, also forming a part of the central head, Figs. 6 and 8, is mounted on the fixed track ring 18. It is held. down and guided thereon by screws 18 held by the track ring 18 and having their heads overlapping the flange 22 of the oscillatory ring 22. This ring carries a series of devices to be selected by pattern mechanism and which in turn select connections for controlling the feeds, which devices in the example chosen to illustrate the invention consists of plates23 pivotally mounted at 24-, each having a dog or pawl 27. These traveling devices or plates are depressed by headed push pins 25, onefor each plate, said pins being slidably guided in a head 25 fixed on the depending rod 19. When any one of the pins 25 is pushed downwardly it will force the corresponding plate 23 down from an inclined position shown at the left of Fig. 6 to the substantially horizontal position shown at the right of said figure. The raised or inclined'position of the plates is the normal one. Each plate is pressed upwardly by a spring 23 and is stopped by The turning of the star wheel. which is I ,mounted by its. shaft 29 in the fixed track plate 18 and forms part of the power'transmitting connection leading to the feed and now to be described, will turn a cam 30 fixedly mounted on the lower end of its shaft 29. This cam bears upon a. pin 31 carried by an, arm 32 pivoted at 33 to the underside of the plate 18. The end of arm 32 has a projection 33' to bear on the inner end of the rod 17, so that whenthe' high part 30 of the cam 30 presses upon the pin 31 the arin 32 will be turned outwardly and the rod 17 will be moved radially outward, to cause the bell crank lever 14 to depress the arm or post 8 with pivoted bracket 8 against the tension of its spring 35 and the star wheel 7 will be lowered so that one of its upper arms will be in the path of the dog 9 carried by the rotating needle cylinder, and when the star wheel is turned in this lowered position the cam 6 will be turned to change the position of the needle advancing tion to operate the needles to knit.

This will efi'ect a change at this particular i the machine.

- the plate contacting therewith.

through a slot: 38 .in the fixed bracket or track ring 18, and carried by an arm 38,

will cause the projection 33 to recede from the rod 17and allow said rod to recede or move towards the axis of the head under pressure ofspring 35 which lifts the bracket 8 and causespost S to rock theibell crank lever 14. inwardly or towards the center of The lifting of the swinging bracket 8 will also elevate the star wheel 4 with the result that this particular feed will be changedagain (thrown out of operation) by the dog 9 operating upon the lower arm of the star wheel, which by the elevation of the star wheel, has been brought into the plane of travel of the dog. The cam 30 has depressions at its high and low. parts and the pin 31 of the pivoted arm 32 falls into these notches and actsas a detent to prevent the cam from overthrowing. All of the said arms. are under pressure of the spring band 34.

It will be seen that the step by step movement of the cam 30 operates the arm 32 to push the rod 17 radiall; outward or allows the arm to be retracted by the spring band 34 to allow the rod to move radially inward towards the center of the machine and at all times the arm acts to hold the cam 30 against overthrow.

One oscillation or back and forth movebent of the ring 22 takes place at each revolution of the knitting head and there- 'fore all of the pawl plates 23 perform aback and forth movement laterally in a horizontal plane for each revolution of the machine, and if any plate be depressed by its push pin, the companion star wheel 28 will be operated one step by the tooth of The member 22 is mechanically operated by a rod or rods 36, connected with a pin or pins 371 depending from the, oscillating ring .turnable about the post 19. The other ends of the rods are connected with an arm 39 fixed on a vertical rock shaft 40" suitably journalled in fixed frameparts and having an arm l-l fixed thereto at its lower end and extending under the take-up ring to be operated by a cam l2 secured by posts 4-3 to the. under side of the rotating takeup ring 4L. The oscillation of the ring 22 is comparatively short.

Itwill be seen from vthe above that the throwing in'or out of t is feeds results from the turning of the cams 30 which determines the positions of the-corresponding star wheels 7 up or down and that these star .whcels are operated by the travelling dog:

0 to change the position of tllB'OttIlTG and thus set the needle advancing cam a in or out.

Reverting to the adjustable needle advancing cam it will be understood that this rai 2s the needles to their upper limit for knit ig after they have been partly raised by the fixed cam indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 11. In other words if the cam (a is set in towards the vertical axis of the machine the needles after'being part ly raised by the fixed cam fshown in dotted lines, will be furl her advanced by travelling up and over the cam a and will then thus take the yarn and knit,"whereas if the cam a is set outwardly by the star wheel 7 and connections described, the needles will be raised only part way by the fixed cam but will pass the yarir feed u'i'hout taking the yarn, and this 'end ainst a plate held by a bracket 921-. h..e l to the cam ring 16.

For depressing the pawl plates 23 in any prescribed order to make the striped pattern, a jacquard mechanism is employed a spring clamp wire or loop 92. Fig. 9

0 )eratin mechanicall 1 and controllin the said plates by mechanical connections to the push-pins 25.

These connections include flexible or spring rods 44; lying in tubes 45) which ex tend from the central head or block 25 at different points around the same to a bracket 4:6 in which they are supported. These spring rods or flexible operating means are preferably provided by closely coiling a wire, that is,-it is like -a coiled spring with its coils closed one upon ianotherso that whllefit is free to accoir modate itself to the curves of-the tubes 45 it provides-a substantially longitudinal rigidity capable of transmitting power imposed thereon. There is one of these tubes with its flexible rod for each feed and one for a counter operating rod, and their ends .are arran ed'in line, side by side, in said bracket. 7

Push pins 25, one for each tube depend therefrom and rest upon bell crank levers 4:7 pivoted to the-bracket, so that when any one of the bell crank levers is operated it will push up the pin 25 resting thereon" 4 through the tube, depress the pushpin L5 at the other end of said tube and thus the corresponding pivoted plate 23 will be depressed to make its pawl 27 engage, and by its movement along its arcuate path, turn the appropriate stai wheel 28 and thus throw" in or out that particular feed to which this operated train of connections belong.

T he bell cranks 4'? are operated by rods 48 having-hooks to be engaged by slidable pawl arms 50 having hooks 51 to engage the hooks49. Formally the pawl arms 50 are in elevated position out of engage ment with the hooked rods 48 as shown in Fig. 3. They are mounted pivot-ally on an actuating rod 52 slidably guidedinthe fixed forks forming apart of the bracket 46, and they rest upon the heads at the upper ends of feeler fingers or pins slidably mounted in a carrier bar 55 supported by rods 56 slidablo vertically of the dependingtubular members 57 'ot the- .fixed bracket member 46.- This carrierbar with its fceler pins is pressed normally upward by a spring 58, Fig. 1, hereinafter mentioned.

The feeler pins or fingers are adapted, when permitted to do so, to pass down through openings in a fixed plate 60 Figs. 3, 4 and 5, of segmental form. They are lowered as a series by an arm 61 engaging a recess 62 in the carrier bar 55, and connected to a swinging frame 63 pivoted at 64 to the fixed bracket 46 and oscillated by an arm 65, Fig. 1 forming a part of the swinging frame, which arm is operated by a vertical rod 66, from a lever 67 pivoted in a bearing 68 on the fixed base ring 2. The pivot for this lever 67 consists of a shaft mounted in the bearing ()8 and having an arm 69, Fig. 2' provided with a roller 70 to be engaged by a cam rib or plate 71 mountediby arm 72 on therotary takeup ring.

A spring 58 presses upwardly against a tail extension 7 3 of the lever 69 and through the connections just described keeps the carrier 55 of the feeler fingers 54 elevated. But

when the cam rib 71, Figs. 1' and 13 of the.

rotary take up plate works under the roller 70, the carrier 55 with the feeler fingersare lowered and some or all of them will pass through the acquard member accord- This jacquard member consists of asheet of suitable material such .as heavystrong mg to the disposition of holes therein..

mental support 60 for the jacquard band is supported by the hubs of the discs or drum structure 7 4 and it is held against turning by an arm 74, Figs. 3, 4 and 5 held in the bracket 46 and having a forked end 74 engaging a pin on a depending arm 60 of said platforn i.

This jacquard drum is turned'step by step to feed the jacquard member as will be hereinafter described. The jacquard member passes-overthe perforated segmental lined plate 60 and if an opening or openings in the jacquard sheet registers with an opening in the segmental fixed plate the corresponding feeler pin or finger, when lowered by the'carrier bar 55, will go down through the registered openings'and conscqucntly the corresponding pawl arm 50, -wh1ch is resting onthis pin, will fall 1nto alignment with the hook of rod 48 and then as the pawl arm 50 sildes back (as hereinafter mentioned) it will pull upon the hooked rod 48, rock the corresponding bell crank 4. elevate its push pin 25* and through the spring rod 44 in the tube 45 the appropriate push pin 25 will be thrust down and the corresponding pawl plate 23 will be lowered, carrying its pawl or tooth into the plane of the. star wheel 28 belonging thereto so that upon the movement of the oscillating plate 22 the star wheel will be operated to throw the feed in or out as above described.

The backward movement of the pawl arms 50 takes place altogether and for doing this the actuating bar 52 is slid in its guideways by links 76 ccnuected with the upstanding arms GS of the rocking frame 63. This backward sliding movement takes place simultaneously with the depression of the feeler carrier bar 55, both movements being derived from the same connections i. e. rocking frame 63, arm 65 thereof and the connections back to the roller 70. The feeler carrier bar is lowered by the arm 61 attached to the rocking frame 63 as before described. Some lost motion of the pawl arms 50 takes place, however, before they operate the hooked rods 48 because the hooks of these pawl arms are somewhat in advance of the hooks of the rods 48, as shown in Fig. 3. p

If, however, any feeler finger or pin 54 strikes an imperforate part of the jacquard member which covers the hole in the segmental platform 60, it will be arrested while the-carrier bar 55 continues its downward stroke and this arrested feeler finger will hold up its particular pawl bar 50 which is resting thereon so that it will not engage the hooked rod 48 as it travels rear ward and consequently it will perform an feeler finger, leading to the pawl plate 23 will not be operated and thus this pawl plate willrema'iu elevated and will not operate its star WheelQ-S, when the niovementof the oscillating plate 22 takes place.

F or turning the jacquard drum a ratchet 77 is employed connected with the drum and engaged jbya pawl 78 pivoted at "('9 to an arm 79 pivoted at 80 to the bracket 4.6. This'depending arm has an adjustable stop screw 81"v to bear against the bracket 16.

working 'in the bracket.

The arm 79 above its pivot is borne upon by a horizontal rod 81 pivoted at 82', Figs. 1 and 2 to the bracket 46 and operated by a pin 83 on an arm 84 clamped by a. screw 85 to the vertical rock shaft 40, Fig. 2. The lever 79 bears upon a spring pin 86 When the rock shaft '40 is turned in the arrow direction Fig. 2 to give the member 22 a move- .ment in the direction of the arrow :11, for

turning'any one or a number-of the star wheels 28, that the pattern calls for,'the

. parts just described will be'operated to ad Vance the pawl 78 to engage afreslrtooth of th'ejacquard drum ratchet. w This stroke of the pawl 78 will be its idle one, the jacquard drum not. being turned on this movement, as it should not be, owing to the fact that the feeler fingers have been lowered and one or more of them has passed through the hole or holes in the jacquard sheet,'but on the reverse movement of the rock shaft 40 .the spring pin 86 will operate the lever "7 9 and the pawl 78 will be given its movement to turn theratchet and the jacquard member one' step, the feeler pins all being raised at this time.

As above stated the invent on canbe carried out in connection with a spring beard needle knitting machine, and for this pure pose substantially the same pattern mecha DlSIll would be used together. with the central head carrying the pawl plates ,23'and the connections leading from this head to the various feeds would be the same. The main-difi'erence over the present organiza.-' tion would be that instead of controlling the needle advancing cam from the rotation of. the star wheel 7, the needle presscr cam and shiftable yarn *vfingers would be controlled in a manner like that disclosed in our application for Letters Patent of the United States #409,265 filed September 9, i920, and 426,564 filed Nov. 26, 1920. I

It'will be understood further that the mechanismherein shown and described is illustrative'of one embodiment of our inven-tion and is not to be regarded as restrictive upon the invention the scope of which is defined by the appended claims.

It will be observed that we employ con trolling mechanism for the several feeds disposed coaxially of the knitting head and r comprising a mechanically operated memher, as 22 and power transmitting. devices as 23, carried by said travelling member 22 and that this controlling mechanlsm is in turn controlled bv the pattern mechanism,

aud'whiic the devices 23 are selected by the pattern mechanism they form as a group selecting mechanism in respect to the connections leading to the feeds, the whole group having travelling movement and the selection of the appropriate connection being due to the setting of the member 23 belonging thereto into line so as to contact therewith.

The pattern mechanism shown herein will be made the subject of a divisional applicationk o claim: 1. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a plurality of feeds disposed at separated points about the same and each including knitting devices, a central head having selecting devices, one for each feed for determining which feed'will be changed to knit or not knit, pattern mechanism controlling the setting of the devices in select ing position in a prescribed order, connections, one for each selecting device, to be ;liit or missed thereby extending from the pattern mechanism for determining: at which of the feeds knitting will or will not be, done, power connections for driving the select-ing devices and connections operated by the. driven selecting devices when the latter are set in position to contact therewith for making the changes in theknitting condirtions at the feeds. saidi selecting devices being nterposed between the power connections first mentioned and the connections leading 'to the feeds. all the needles passing an idle feed simply holding their loops without performing their knitting-actions, substantially as described.

.In combination in a knitting machine, a

plurality of feeds disposed at separated points about the same and each including 4' knitting devices, pattern'mechanism, selecting devices controlled by the said pattern mechanism to determine the changes at the feeds, to knit or not to knit, a carrier for the selecting devices having travelling movement, means for driving said carrier,

connections leading to the several feeds for changing the same to knit or not to knit, said connections being operable by the said travelling selecting devices when the latter are set in selecting position by the pattern mechanism, and being missed by said travelling devices when set out of selecting posi-' tion, substantially as described.

4-. In combination in a knitting machine, a plurality of feeds disposed at separated points about the sa-meand each including knitting devices, pattern mechanism, selecting devices controlled by the said pattern mechanism to determine the changes at the feeds, to knit or not to knit, a carrier for the selecting devices having travelling movement, means for driving said carrier, connections leading to the several feeds for changing the same to knit or not to knit, said connections being operable by the travelling selecting devices when the latter are set in selecting position by the pattern mechanism, and being missed .by said devices when the latter are not in selecting position the travelling movement of said carrier being back and forth, substantially as described.

5. In combination in a knitting machine,

a plurality of feeds disposed at separated, points about the same and each including" knitting devices, pattern mechanism, selecti'ng devices controlled by the said pattern mechanism to determine the changes at the feeds, to knit or not to knit, a carrier for the selecting devices having travelling movement, means for driving said carrier, con-v inections leading to the several feeds for changing the same to knit or not to knit, said connections being operable by the travelling selecting devices when the latter are set in selecting position by the pattern mechanism and being missed by said devices when the latter are not in selecting position the travelling movement of said carrier being oscillatory about an axis, substantially as described. I I

(i. In combination in a knitting machine, a plurality offeeds disposed at separated points about the same and each including knitting devices, pattern mechanism, selecting devices controlled by the said pattern mechanism .to determine the changes at the feeds, to knit or not to knit, a carrier for the selecting devices, having. travelling move ment, means for driving said carrier, connections leading to the several feeds for changing the same to knit or not to knit, said connections being-operable by the tr ave'lling selecting devices when the latter are set neaaeoe consisting of a member pivotally mounted to swing in a vertical plane, a carrier for the selecting devices, means for moving the carrier, pattern mechanism,.means controlled thereby for setting the selecting devices in prescribed. positions, and connections operated by the selecting devices as moved by the carrier and when set by the pattern mechanism into line therewith for controlling the feeds to knit or not to knit, substantially as described.

8. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a plurality of'feeds each including knitting devices thereat, a plurality of selecting devices, one for each feecl.'cach consisting of a member pivotally mounted to swing in a vertical plane,a carrier for the selecting devices, means for moving the carrier, pattern mechanism, means controlled thereby for setting the selecting devices in prescribed positions, and connections operated by the selecting devices as moved by the carrier for controlling the feeds to knit or not to knit said carrier and when set by the pattern mechanism into line therewith being arranged coaxially with the knit ting head and turning about the axis thereof, substantially as described.

9. In combination in a circular knitting .machine having a plurality of feedsdisposed about the same at different points each including knitting devices. a series'pf select ingv devices, one for each feed. means for giving travelling movement to the selecting devices, pattern means for setting the selecting means in selecting position in a prescribed order. connections extending from the selecting devices to the feeds to be open ated by the selectingdevices in their travelling" movement, for controlling said feeds to knit or not to knit, each connection comprising a. star wheel to be operated by-one of the selecting devices, a cam operated by the star wheel. an arm operatedbv the cam, a rod operated by the arm, each feed when idle causing the needles to pass while holdinL their loops without knitting, substantialbas described.

10. In combination in a circular knitting machine, .having a plurality of feeds each including knit-ting devices thereat, a rotatable carrier member arranged coaXially of the knitting head, a reciprocating rod connected to said member for giving the same oscillating movement about the axis of the knitting head, a series of pivoted selecting devic'es mounted on the carrier and movable verticallyabout their pivots, means includting machine having a plurality of feeds ing pattern mechanism for moving the selecting members vertically about their pivots .in a prescribed ordc', star Wheels arranged to be con'tactcdby the selecting devices in their travelling movement when the latterare in their-selecting positions and connections leading from thestar wheels for controlling the knitting at the feeds, substantially as, described.

11. In combination with a circular kniteach including knitting devices thereat, a

movable carrier, a plurality of selecting de-- vices pivotally mountedon the carrier, means for oscillating the carrier, pattern control means "for setting the selectingdevices in operative position in a prescribed order, star wheels, a'tixed support for said staiflwheels. said fixed support furnishing the su 'iymrting means. for the movable carrier, cams onthe shafts oi the starv Wheels,

arms pivotally mounted and operatedrby the said cams, and radially extending' rods operated by the pivoted arms for controlling the knitting at the several feeds, substantially as described.

A 12. In'coinbination in a including knitting devices thereat, a' controlling mechanism arranged coaxially with the knitting head, said controlling ,ineans comprising, a mechanically operated memher and selecting devices carried thereby to have travelling movement therewith, con-v nections :exten ding from the controlling mechanismto the several feeds, said connec-.

"tions deriving'their power from the meincluding knitting devices thereat, a take up ring rotating with the rotary part of the knitting head, a vertical shaft, meansearrie-d by the rotary take-up ring for operat mg the vertical shaft, controlling means for the feeds comprising a niember'havingtravelling movement and operated from the saidvcrtical shaft, connections leading from the said controlling means to the feeds to control the knitting, selecting'devices con-,

necting the said connections with or disco-nnecting them from the member operated by the vertical shaft, and pattern cont-rolled means for setting the selecting devices in selecting position in a prescribed order.

14. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds each including knitting devices thereat, connections leading to the said feeds to control circular knitting r machine having a plurality of feeds each the knitting, a power operated member at theaxis. of the knitting head," means for operating the said connections from the said power operated member, including select-' ing devices, a rotary take-up ring rotating with the rotary member of the. knitting head, a connection operated by the rotary take-up. ring for operating the power member of the controlling mechanism. and pattern means, for controlling the selecting de vices, to engage at prescribed times with the connections leading to the feeds substanti ally as described. '2

-15.In combination with a circular knitt ng machine, having a plurality of feeds each including knitting devices thercat, con- 3 trolling means therefor, including a set of operating connections, and meanstor selecting which of said connections will be operated, a rotary take-up ring moving in unison with the knitting head, and means carried thereby for actuating the said connections through the selecting means and pattern mechanism operated from the take-up ring and controlling the selecting means, sub stantially as described.

16. In combination with a circular knitting machine, having a plurality of feeds each including knitting devices thereat, 'con- {trolling mechanism to determine when knitting is done or not the said feeds, a rotary take-up plate, a cam thereon, connections operated by the cam for operating.

a part ofsaid controlling mecl'ianisin, power transmitting connections leading from the controlling mechanism to the feeds, said contrtilling mechanism including a plurality of selecting devices for connecting in a prescribed order the transmitting connections with and disconnecting them from the said cam operated connections, pattern mechaconnecting position in a prescribed rder,

connectionstherefrom for operating the pattern means, substantially as described.

, 1'7. In combination with :a circular knitting-machine having a plurality of feeds distr buted at separated points about the same each including knitting devices thereat,

a connection leading to each feed for determining whether or not knitting will take place there, controlling means for said connections including power operated driving means and selective devices for selecting in a prescribed order A the, particular CODDGC' tions which-are to be operated-by said dr1ving means, and pattern mechan'ism-torsetting the selective devices in selecting position n a prescribed order, each teed when idle.

causing all of the needles to-hold' their loops without pcrtorn'iing knitting actions at said idle teed, substantially as described.

18. In combination, in a circular knittingmachine having a plurality of feeds each in- 'iiism for setting the selecting elements in and a cam on the rotary take-up plate with 1 3 eluding knitting devices thereat, star wheels ing said star wheels to bring different arms thereof into the plane of movement of the contact means, said adjusting means comprising a member arranged coaxially with the knitting head, selecting devices pivotally mounted on said member, means for giving said member a travelling movement, pattern mechanism with connections for setting'said selecting devices in selecting posi tion, and connections operated by the travelling movement of the selecting devices, when set, and connected with the star wheels, substantially as described.

19. In combination in a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds each including knitting devices thereat, star wheels with connections between the same and the feeds to cause knitting to be done, or cease, at saidfeeds', contact means travelling with the rotary member of the knitting head for operating the'star wheels, means for adjusting said star wheels to bring diflerent arms thereof into'the plane of movement of the Contact means, said adjusting means comprising a member arranged coaxially with the'kn'itting head, selecting dev ices'pivotally mounted on said member, means for giving said member a travelling movement, pattern mechanism with connections for setting said selecting devices in selecting position and connections operated by the travelling movement of the'selecting devices, when set, and 'connected with the star wheels, said last mentioned connections including a star wheel operated by contact of the travelling selecting devices therewith, substantially as described.

20. In combination ina circular. knitting 21. In combination in a circular knittingmachine having a plurality of spaced apart feeds with knitting-devices at each feed,

controlling mechanism for the knitting devices including an oscillating member and selective means thereon with connections therefrom to the knitting devices, pattern menses mechanism for setting the said devices to hit or miss said connections, a vertical post supporting-said controlling mechanism, a yarn cutter, supported on said post, and means for operating the yarn cutter from the oscillating member, substantially as described.

22. In combination in a circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds with knitting devices at each feed, connections leading to the knittingdevices, selecting devices for selecting which of the connections are to be operated tochange the-knitting devices, a carrier on which said selecting devices are mounted, means for operating the carrier to give said selecting devices a travelling movement, pattern, mechanism and mechanical connections between the same and the selecting devices for setting the same in position to strike and operate crating the carrier'to give said selecting devices a travelling movement, pattern mechanism and mechanical connections bet-ween the same and the selecting devices for setting the same in position to strike. and opcrate the appropriate set of connections dnring'said travelling movement or to miss them for changingthe knitting devices to knit or not knit, said carrier being arranged coaxially with the knitting machine.

24. In combination in a knitting machine having a plurality of feeds with knitting devices at each feed, connections leading from 'a centralhead to the knitting devices for I changing them-to knit or not to knit, a carrierturning about the axis of the head and having mounted thereon selecting devices, one for each feed having up and down movement, mechanical connections to set the se lecting devices by a downward movement in position to operate the appropriate set of connections in their travelling movement with the carrier, and pattern mechanism for selecting the appropriate set of the mechanical connections for setting'the selecting de vices in prescribed order, substantially as described;

25; In combination in a knitting machine having aplurality of feeds with knitting devices at each feed, selecting devices, one for each feed, a carrier on which the selecting devices are mounted, connections, one for each selecting device for changing the knitting devices to or not-knit. said cor-.nection's being operable by the selecting devices in their travelling movement with the carrier when set in selecting position to contact therewith, means for operating the carrier, pattern mechanism, and a series of mechanical connections between the pattern mechanism and the selecting devices for set ting the same in contacting position, said pattern mechanism being otf-set to'one side of the knitting head with said connections reaching therefrom over said head to where the selecting devices are located, substantially as described.

26. In combination in a knitting machine having a plurality of feeds with knitting devices at each'feed, selecting devices, one for each feed, a carrier on which the selectingdevices are mounted, connections, one

for each selecting device for changing the knitting devices to knit or not knit, said connections being operable by the selecting devices in their travellin movement with the carrier when set in. se ecting position-to contacttherewith, means for operating the carrier, pattern mechanism, and a series of mechanical connections between the pattern mechanismand the selecting devices for setting the same in selecting position, said connections each consisting of a flexible member and guiding means therefor.

27. In combination in a knitting machine having a plurality of feeds with knitting devices at each .feed, selectinlg devices, one for each feed, a carrier on w iichthe selecting devices aremounted, connections, one for each selecting device for changing the knitting .devices to knit or not knit, said con.-

nect-ions-being operable by the selectin devicesintheir travelling movement with the carrier when set in selecting position to contact therewith, means for operating the carrier, pattern mechanism, and a series of mechanical connections between the pattern mechanism and the selecting devices for setting the safne in selecting position, each of said connections consisting of a. flexible member movable longitudinally and a guide tube in which said flexible member works,

substantially as described.

28. In combination with a'circular knitting machine having a plurality of feeds with knitting devices at each feed to be setto knit or not to knit, an oscillatory carrier arranged coaxially above the knitting head,

selecting devices mounted on said carrier to travel therewith and having movement, to be set into and out of contacting position on said carrier, pattern mechanism arranged to one side of thmknitting head, a series of mechanical connections extending from the pattern mechanism to the selecting devices for setting them in contacting position, star wheels contacted by the selecting devices when in contacting position, cams operated by the star wheels, and connections operated 1 knittin g bythe cams and extending to the knitting devices for shifting the same, substantially as described.

529. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a plurality of foods for. setting them in contacting position, star wheels contacted by the selecting devices when in contacting position, cams'operated by the star wheels, and connections operated by the cams and extending. to the knitting devices for shifting the same, said connections including star wheels, with means op erated thereby for shifting the knitting devices to knit or not to knit, and a travelling contact for operating the last mentioned star wheels, substantially as described.

30. In combination in a circular knitting machine, selecting means for controlling the at the various feeds thereof comprising plates mounted to move up and down, an oscillating carrier for said plates. connections operated by contact of the plates therewith when in one position but missed by said plates when the latter are in their other positions, said connections when operated shifting the knitting devices to knit or not to knit, pattern mechanism ofi to one side of the knitting head and a series 'ofmechanical connections extending therefrom to the'pl-ates extending up from the pattern mechanism thence across to near the center of the machine and then down to the pivoted plates, substantially as described.

31. In combination in a circular knitting machine, selecting means for controlling the knitting at the various feeds thereof, to knitor not to knit, patternmechanism arranged off to one side of the machine, and a set of mechanical connections extending up from the pattern mechanism, thence across to near the center of the machine and then down at their inner ends to the selecting devices to operate the same said inner ends having-up and down'movement, substanti'ally as describ d.

, 32. In combin tion in a circular knitting center of the machine and then down to the selecting devices .to operate the same, said pattern mechanism, thence across to near the and ratchet means for,

connections including flexible members,

tubes in which they are guided the ends of the flexible members engaging respectively the selecting devices and the pattern means.

33. In combination in a knitting machine, a plurality of feeds each including knitting devices thereat, connections to each feed for setting the same to knit or not to knit, aearrier, devices thereon, said connections,arock shaft, connections between said rock shaft and the said carrier for imparting movement thereto, pattern mechanism to set said devices in position to hit and operate the said connections, pawl mechanism and an arm operated by. the forward movement of the rock shaft for operating the pawl, of the pawl and ratchet mechanism, substantially as described.

34. lncombination in a knitting machine having a plurality of feeds with knitting devices at each feed,v including a needle raising cani, shiftable to operative or inoperative position, a series of star wheels, one for each feed, a connection between the star wheels and the shiftable needle raising cams, a contact member rotating with the machine for operating the star wheels and selector mechanism with pattern mechanism for controlling the same, said selector mechanism having connections for setting the star wheels in position to be operated by I the travelling contact, substantially as de- .means for giving movement, a support on which it moves,

ling the feeds to knit or scribed.

35. In combination in a circularknitting machine, having a plurality of spaced apart feeds eachincluding knitting devices thereat, a movable carrier, a plurality ofjselecting devices movably mounted on the carrier, the carrier travelling means for setting the selecting devices in selecting position in a prescribed order and connections extending from the selecting devices and hit or missed thereby for controlnot to knit, said connections including means mounted on the said support, and arranged to be operated by the travelling selector devices, substantially as described.

36. In combination in a circular knitting machine, having a plurality of feeds each including knitting devices thereat, a rotatablecarrier member arranged coaxially of the knitting head, a plurality of selecting member arranged about the center of the carrier, and pivotally mounted, pattern mechanism for positioning the selector members by moving them about their pivots and means operated by the pivotally mounted.

selecting members when positioned for controlling the feeds when said members are set in selecting position said members having a hit or miss position relative to the last mentioned means.

for hitting or missing operating the pattern.

aces

37. In combination in a knitting machine, having a plurality of feeds with knitting devices at each feed including a needle raising cam shiftable to operative or inoperative position or to position to make the needle hold their loops without knitting, yarn guides, a series of star wheels rotatable about vertical axes, and shiftable to different levels, said star wheels having arms at different levels, means travelling with the rotary part of the machine for contacting with and operating the star wheels step by step, a cam member for each star wheel, a connection between each cam and the needle raising cam for controlling the latter, and means for moving the star wheels to different levels to locate its upper and lower arms in the path of the contacting means, substantially as described.

38. In combination in a knitting machine having a plurality of spaced apart feeds each including knitting devices thereat, means for rendering the feeds effective or ineffective to knit or not to knit, comprising a cam of each feed and a plurality of star wheels, one for each feed, arranged with their axes extending vertically, connections for setting the cams in different positions by the star wheels, said star wheels having arms at different levels, means on the rotary part of the machine for engaging and operating the star wheels step by step, and a movable support in which the shaft of the star wheel is mounted and means for moving said support, substantially as describe-d.

39. In combination in a knitting machine for doing striping of the fabric, a plurality of feeds, each having a stationary yarn guide, and a yarn clamp, a yarn e'utter at the axial center of the machine, a needle advancing cam at each feed with connections leading to each cam for adjusting said cams to an intermediate position to cease knitting while holding their loops, a central head, including an oscillating carrier, a plurality of members mounted thereon, one for each feed to be set in position to contact with and operate or miss the set of connec- 'tions extending to the cam to which said member belongs, and pattern mechanism for operating said members in relation to the belongs, and pattern mechanism for oper-- ating said members in relation to the connections controlled thereby, said pattern -mecl1anism including flexible connections leading to said members and guide tubes in which said connections slide, substantially as described.

41. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a single row of needles for making plain fabric, a ring having feeds dispose about the same at separated points, each ineluding knitting devices thereat, a central head disposed coaxially of the open ring, de-

vices mounted on the head, pattern mechanism controlling the selection and setting of the said devices, connections extending from y the said devices outwardly to the feeds and power operated means for moving the selected devices when set by the pattern mechanism to;dr1ve the COIIHQCUOIIS belonging thereto, leading to the feeds to render the feeds effective or ineffective in knitting.

42. In combination 1n a circular knitting machine a pluralit posed at separated points about the axial center of the machine tolbe selected to determine which of the feeds will knit and which will not knit,-connections from said devices extending outwardly to the feeds,

pattern mechanism controlling the selection relatively, setting the star wheels-and conand setting of the said devices, power driven means for operating the selected devices when set by the pattern mechanism, substantially as described.

43. In combination in a circular knitting machine, needles, rotary carrier means therefor, a plurality of feeds, spaced apart,

around the machine-each including knitting devices thereat, star Wheels adjacent the feeds for rendering them operative or inoperative to knit or not to knit, contact means travelling with needle carrier for operating the star wheels, a connection for each feed for relatively adjusting the star wheels and-- contact means to hit or miss, a plurality of means to be selected for determining which of the said connections is to be operated for tact means, a travelling carrier for said means, power operated connections for operating the carrier, and pattern mechanism for setting the means to hit or miss said connections, substantially as described.

44. In combination in a circular knitting of feeds disposed at separated points, a out the same each including knitting devices thereat, devices d1sto knit or not toknit, mechanism arranged coaxially wlth the machine, including power transmitting devices to be selected for determining which of the contact devices will be hit by said contact means, pattern mechanism forselecting andsetting the power transmitting devices and power operated means for rendering the selected power transmitting devices effective when set by said pattern mechanisln- 45. In combination in a circular knitting machine, needles, supporting means in which they slide, a plurality of feeds spaced apart around the machine, including needle operating cams, and fixed yarn guide means, and mechanism for automatically controlling the performance or cessation of knitting at the fecds'in a prescribed order for striping, said mechanism adjusting the needle advancing cams to cause the needles to knitby advancing them to take the yarn or not knit by advancing .them only to an intermediate position, and when {not knitting, to cause all of the needles passing the cams of the idle feed to hold their loops, and pattern means for controlling said mechanism, any one, all, or various combinations of the feeds being effective, at one time, substantially as described.

46. In combination in a circular knitting machine, 'g needlcs, rotary carrier means therefor, a plurality of feeds spaced apart around-the machine and each having a yarn guide and a set of knitting cams, including a needle advancing cam, contact means on the rotary carrier, contact means for each feed connected with the needle advancing cam at said feed, and pattern controlled means for setting the contact means of the carrier and of. the feeds relatively in and out of line with each other for setting the needle advancing cams in a prescribed order to render the feeds active or inactive, all of the needles passing an inactive feed holding their loops without knitting, substantially as described.

, 47. In'combination in a ci'rcular knitting machine, needles, rotary carrier means therefor, a plurality of feeds spaced apart around the machine and each having a yarn guide and a set of knitting cams, including a needle advancing cam, contact means on the rotary carrier,-contact means for each feed connected with the needle advancing cam at said feed, and pattern controlled means for setting the contact means of the carriertand of the feeds relatively in and out of line with each other for setting the needle advancing cams in a prescribed order to render the feeds active or inactive, all of the needles passing an inactive feed holding their loops without knitting, said contact means forthe feeds comprising star wheels on vertical axes having arms in different horizontal planes, said star wheels being as kind moved by. the'patter'n mechanism, to change their 'level.

as. In combination in a circular knitting able longitudinally and guide tubes in which said flexible members slide, substantially as described.

49. In combination in a circular knltting machine, needles, a pluralityof feeds spaced apart around the machine each including knitting devices thereat, a set of connections to each feed for rendering them active or inactive, travelling means for'operating the connections, pattern mechanism and means operated by the pattern mechanism for setting the said connections to be operated by the means first mentioned, including flexible members movable longitudinally and guide tubes in which said flexible members slide, said flexible members and tubes having their inner ends disposed substantially vertically and by their elevated and lowered positiomdetermining which feed is to be inactive and which active, substantially as described.

50. In combination in a circular knitting machine, needles, supporting means therefor, a plurality of feeds spaced apart around the machine each including knitting devices thereat, hit and miss devices, connections therefrom to'the feeds for controlling them to be active or inactive to knit or not to knit, said hit and miss devices including members movable relatively up and down into and out of line, pattern means and connections operated thereby for controlling the hit and miss actions of the said devices, said connections including flexible members movable longitudinally and tubes in which said members move, the inner ends of said tubes and flexible members where they exert their control being disposed substantially vertically.

51. In combination in afcircular knitting machine, having a plurality of feeds, each including knitting devices thereat, a rotary needle carrier, a star wheel adjacent each feed with means operated thereby for rendering the feed act'iveor' inactive to'knit or not to knit,'and for controlling all the needles passing the inactive feed to simply hold their loops without knitting, contact means travelling with the rotary needle carrier, for operating the star wheels, and

means for setting the star wheels to diflen,

ent positions to be'hit or missed by said travelling contact means, said setting means including a star wheel, one for each feed with connections between said star wheels and the star wheels first mentioned, a travelling carrier, devices thereon for operating the star wheels of the setting means, when adjusted to hit the same, and pattern mechanism for setting the said devices in or out of line with the star wheels last mentioned, substantially as described.

52. In combination in a circular knitting machine, having a plurality of feeds, each including knitting devices thereat, a rotary needle carrier, a star wheel adjacent each feed with means operated'thereby for rendering the feed active or inactive to knit or not to knit, and for controlling all the needles passing the inactive feed to simply hold their loops without knitting, contact rier for operating the star wheels, and means for setting the star wheels to different positions to be hit or missed by said travelling contact means, said setting means including a star wheel, one for each feed with connections between said star wheels and the star wheels first mentioned, a travelling carrier, devices thereon for operating the star wheels of the setting means, when adjusted to hit the same, and pattern mechanism for setting the said devices in or out of line with the star wheels lastmentioned, said star wheels rotating about vertical axes.

53. In a circular knitting machine, a plurality of feeds each including knitting devices thereat, connections extending from points within the needle circle outwardly to said feeds to control the same to knit or not .to knit, carrier means oscillating about the axis of the machine and having a plurality of contact devices thereon to hit or miss their appropriate connections leading to the feed, and pattern mechanism for setting said devices in a prescribed'order to hit their connections and thereby control the feeds, substantially as described.

' 54. In a circular knitting machine, a pluralityof feeds each including knitting de vices thereat, connections extending from points Within the needle circle outwardly to said feeds to c ontrolthe same to knit or not to knit, carrier means oscillating about the axis of the machine and having a plurality of contact devices thereon to hit or miss their appropriate connections leading to the feed, and pattern mechanism for setting said devices in a prescribed order to hit their connections and thereby control the feeds, and connections between said pattern mechanism and the said devices comprising flexible members and guide tubes therefor, substantially as described.

55. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a plurality of feeds each including knitting devices thereat, pattern mechanism,

means travelling with the rotary needle carvtransmitting connections from said 'lplaftern mechanism extending to points wit needle circle, said connections including 1on c to kn-itor not-to knit substantiallyfas de- I mechanism then'ihwardly towards the axis p of themachineand then downwardly, de-

by the flexible connections fo'r controlling the feeds scribed.

fidlncombination in a 'circillal knitting machine, a plurality of feeds eachincluding knitting devices thereat, pattern mechanism, transmitting 'connectlons from said pattern mechanism extending up from the pattern thevices set bythe movement of the inner ends of. said transmitting connections, a'car er for said devices'and connections extending radially outward to the feeds operated by,

their respective devices when set to contact therewith, substantially as described.

I 57. In combination in a circular knitting machine, a plurality of feeds, a central head,

a carrier oscillating on said head, contact devices on the carrier, star Wheels on the central head, to be operated by the said de vices, connections from the star wheels to the feeds for controlling the latter, and pattern mechanism for setting the devices to hit or miss the star wheels. A

Intestimonywhereof, we aflixi'our signatures.- V r 5 KENNETH HOWIE.:

' WILLIAM-O. TAYLOR. 

